April 6, 2011

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Dolphins WR, Marlon Moore Interview

by Max Strauss

Marlon Moore played college football at Fresno State University. He totaled 90 receptions, 1374 yards, and 10 touchdowns throughout his college career. He entered the 2010 NFL Draft, but went undrafted. He signed with the Dolphins and totaled 6 receptions, 128 yards, and 1 touchdown during his rookie season. Check out our interview that was conducted after the 2011 NFL season.

Announcement : Hello, my name is Max Strauss with http://prointerviews.org/, http://facebook.com/ProInterviews/ and http://twitter.com/ProInterviews/. I’d like to welcome you to the interview with Marlon Moore. Moore attended Fresno State University. While he was there, he was known for his big play ability with his breakout speed. During the NFL Draft in 2010, he went undrafted. He quickly signed with the Miami Dolphins and was given a chance to play in nine games this past season. He finished his rookie season with six receptions for 128 yards and one touchdown. Here is the interview with Marlon Moore, I hope you enjoy the collages also, and let’s listen to audio clip from his first career NFL touchdown.

Moore : Through Facebook and what not. If you hit me up on Facebook, I’ll definitely add you. I don’t have a twitter or anything like that. Facebook would be the best thing though.

Strauss : What was your high school football experience like?

Moore : My high school football experience was interesting. It started with my freshman year, I wasn’t one of the best of the team unfortunately. But, my work ethic was always there. So, I was able to get on the field and make plays my first year in the JV season. In JV, I found out that I really had love for the game. Then, in 10th grade, I got to play Varsity, and played three years of Varsity. It was an interesting experience. I broke my leg my senior year, and my coach still told me that I had a chance to play football, because I continued to work hard. My upper body strength increased, and I went right back into basketball, and as soon as that season was over, I was preparing for scouts to get stuff on tape.

Strauss : What was the transition like to go to Fresno State?

Moore : From high school to Fresno State… Oh man, it was totally different. I got to see a different caliber of athlete that I’ve never seen before. Like the first day I actually got there, I went to the workouts to see some of the local high school players trying to go into a D1 school, and see how they worked. It was amazing. I watched them and saw how hard they were going, how fast they would go, and then from high school to seeing that. Then, from seeing that, to my first college practice, it was way over my head. A lot of us couldn’t take it, but I just worked hard and kept going and persevered through it, and that transition, it was rough. It was really rough. Eventually, it got better as I went through my redshirt freshman year.

Strauss : Did you have a best friend at Fresno State?

Moore : Oh yeah, I definitely did. I had two of them actually. It was my boy, Jamel Hamler, who’s actually entering the draft this year. And, then there was my other homie, Damion Owens. I like to think of them as both of my guys, they’re really close to me.

Strauss : Do you have a favorite memory from Fresno State?

Moore : I have two actually. It was when my dad, my mom, and my brother got a chance to go to Hawaii to see me play. I actually got Player of the Game that game and it was back in like 2007. That was the last game my dad got to see of me while he was at the game. Then, also when we went down to UCLA, that was the last touchdown my dad got to watch on TV, before he passed away, and those were two of my favorite memories.

Strauss : Do you have a funny memory from Fresno State?

Moore : There are a lot of funny moments with Coaches. There have been a lot of funny moments with our coaches and what not (laughs). I really can’t say one. I have many from my new coach, other coaches, all those guys. There are a lot of funny memories.

Strauss : Even though you were undrafted, what was your draft day experience like?

Moore : It was pretty laid back. I just sat in the house and watched the draft basically. I just watched the draft, that’s about it. I didn’t do anything much. After, the draft was done, I got a call for a workout with the Dolphins. I was ecstatic. I actually sat back one minute and cried and thought about it. It was a big step for me. Especially for what I’ve been through to get that point. But, it was pretty laid back. I was celebrating with my family and friends.

Strauss : What was your first training camp like with the Dolphins?

Moore : It was one of the most intense things that I have ever been a part of. Out there, we’re talking coaching-wise, competition-wise, and also, weather-wise. That humidity is no joke out there. I came from California, this is dryer heat out here. But, it’s bad too. But, that humidity sucks the life out of you. You have a day, where you think you can’t go on anymore, but knowing what you’re trying to get to, knowing what your goal is, and what you’re trying to accomplish helps you push through it. It was a great experience, it was a bloody experience, but it was a healthy experience.

Strauss : What was rookie hazing like?

Moore : It wasn’t anything out of the pocket. It was just that the older guys would make you do stuff. They make you get food, that’s about it. It wasn’t getting tied up, nothing with blue gatorade, that didn’t happen. But, we did have a little rookie show which was fun. Also, just being involved as a rookie, that’s about it. It wasn’t bad.

Strauss : This past year, your touchdown against the Raiders in Oakland… Is that your favorite memory from the Dolphins this past season?

Moore : That’s definitely one of them, getting my first touchdown, but it was just getting a chance to play. Every chance I got, it was one of my favorite memories. That’s what I would honestly say it was. Also, back in Dallas, when I got my first touchdown in preseason, which was a great moment for me. So was the Raiders’ one. But, the season as a whole, I just can’t forget the season. I remember every little detail about it. Traveling and all that. As a matter of fact, this past season is my favorite memory.

Strauss : Can you take me through that touchdown against Oakland?

Moore : I was just trying to get open. It was a quick route that I had to make sure I could pick up the first down, but it just turned into something more. The cornerback tried to go for the ball, but I got it, and I just tried to go up the sideline. I was in the endzone as soon as I turned around to see him.

Strauss : Did you have a celebration?

Moore : (laughs). I was going to do something, but then, I kind of locked up and went to the crowd, and acted like I was going to hand them the ball, and then, walked off. I just laughed. It was really funny.

Strauss : Who’s had the most impact on your football career?

Moore : My dad of course. He was the main one that told me that taught me how me how to stay composed. He taught me to keep working hard, and I just watched him growing up. He was always providing for his family. Of course, my family had my back. But, it was my dad who was the front-runner.

Strauss : Do you support a foundation or are you thinking about starting your own?

Moore : I’m going to start my own eventually. It’s going to be my named after my dad, but as of right now, I just donate what I can.

Strauss : Do you have a favorite quote?

Moore : I can’t think of one off the top of my head. I just can’t think of one off of the top of my head right now…

Strauss : If you could describe yourself as any ice cream flavor, what would you be and why?

Moore : If I could describe myself as any ice cream flavor… wow… Let me think… that’s interesting. Any ice cream flavor… I’d probably be chocolate. A straight chocolate, smooth, easy to handle, classic, and it’s a great chocolate.

Strauss : For someone who wants to play in the NFL, what is the best advice you can give them?

Moore : Learn how to take coaching. Learn how to take criticisms. Make sure you have a solid work ethic. Live, and go out there like everyday is your last, and play like you would.

Strauss : Is there anything you want to tell your fans or Dolphins fans that we have not really talked about?

Moore : Everything that I’ve got, every thing and opportunity that has presented to me, and everyone that I’ve met in the sports world, I am really grateful. I really appreciate it.

Moore : Probably Jay-Z. His business mindset and what he did in his life to develop his mind from a musician to business.. I’d like to talk to him about the way he did that. Also, about how successful he is now, and how he dealt with that as a kid growing up.

Strauss : If football didn’t work out for you, what was your plan?

Moore : I would love to go into coaching. I would love to be a football coach, but I also would love to get my degree in broadcast journalism. Having a chance if I were to fall back and get my degree, it helps me and be flexible a little bit. That would be cool. That’s what I would like to do.

Strauss : What is your favorite TV Show?

Moore : What do I like to watch a lot of lately… Basically, Family Guy and South Park.

Strauss : What is your favorite movie of all time?

Moore : Five Heartbeats. It’s an older movie about a singing group that was coming up.

Strauss : What is your favorite type of pie?

Moore : I don’t have a favorite type of pie. I have a favorite type of dish that is sort of similar. My favorite is Peach Cobbler. I don’t know if that’s pie (laughs).

Strauss : What would your last meal on Earth be?

Moore : That’s a hard one. My last meal on Earth would probably be my father’s barbecue. Everything that he would cook with that. Ribs. Beans. Chicken. All that stuff.